Proposed cuts at UM: Is this the best we can honestly do, President Bodnar? (Guest Post)

As an alumnus of the University of Montana School of Music and the College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA), I am both sad and disgusted at the current state of the University.

Many of you have heard about the impending budget cuts coming for the College of Visual and Performing Arts at the University of Montana. Here is a link to the wonderful letter draft by the College’s Director, Dr. Maxine Ramey.

As Ms. Ramey states in her letter, I myself also did not expect to have to defend the teaching of the Arts in 21st century America.

I went into Music, never to become rich in a monetary sense, but to better myself as a member of society. Although I did not major in Music Education, most University of Montana Music Majors do. The College is so successful in training future educators, that the College posts an astounding greater than 95% job placement rate for teachers right out of college. Make no mistake, these cuts, if they would come to fruition, would drastically hurt the state of arts education in our public schools.

UM is not a STEM school, and was not intended to be. UM is not a business school. UM is not a sports school (although you would think it was, with our new commercials).

Here is a great event to support the University of Montana School of Music and the College of Visual and Performing Arts:

We want to prevent any catastrophic changes in coming years, preserve the future of arts at UM, and celebrate the artistic culture that we contribute to every day. We are organizing outside of University Hall to show our support for the arts and express our love and commitment to what makes this campus and community so vibrant.

UM is a Liberal Arts school. What we have seen over the tenure of President Bodnar is the removal of the University’s identity.

Is this the best we can honestly do, President Bodnar?

These proposed cuts to the School of Music and the College of Visual and Performing Arts are devasting and we must work to make a budget that knows the value of the arts. We also must fight like hell at the ballot box, we must pass the 6-mill Levy.

Vote yes on LR-128, the 6-mill Levy to fund our Universities all over Montana.

I do not want to imagine what would happen if the 6-mill Levy were to not pass. Also, we must elect legislators dedicated to funding our universities, make sure you vote for Democrats on your ballot, from Jon Tester to Kathleen Williams to your local legislator, don’t skip any candidates.

We need a blue wave in 2018 to fund our universities!

Written by: Anonymous

If you appreciate an independent voice holding Montana politicians accountable and informing voters, and you can throw a few dollars a month our way, we would certainly appreciate it.